The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday adopted a resolution which aims to combat the harmful use of alcohol, blamed for millions of deaths each year, DPA reported.
Alcohol was related to 2.5 million deaths in 2004, the WHO estimated. Its abuse can also cause numerous health problems, such as liver failure.
Thursday's resolution calls on the 194 member states of the WHO to take public policy measures to reduce the harmful consumption of alcohol.
The strategy pushes both direct health measures, such as medical services' response to problems, and indirect ones, such as the dissemination of information on alcohol-related harm.
It also looks at possible limitations on marketing and availability and pricing rules.
Industry groups have been opposed to some of these restrictions, saying alcohol producers do not aim to promote harmful drinking.
The adoption of the resolution comes during the World Health Assembly (WHA), the annual meeting of the WHO in Geneva, taking place this week.
The WHA was also considering a resolution on the marketing of food and non-alcoholic drinks to children.
Obesity, heart problems and other diseases spurred on by bad eating habits have caused the UN's health agency to look into stricter rules for foods high in certain types of fats, sugars and salts.
WHO resolution aims to reduce alcohol abuse
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday adopted a resolution which aims to combat the harmful use of alcohol, blamed for millions of deaths each year.
